Gimme a piece of pizza

What? Rossopomodoro, whose pizzas are as much of a mouthful as their name. This is Napoli's no.1 pizza brand, recently extended to the UK. I normally favour more independent family run Italians, but because it's a business with italian heritage it feels a lot more novel than say, Pizza Express. We couldn't fault the pizza, solid in size; good crust; no soggyness or scrimping on the toppings.

Where? Jameston Road, Camden. They have 5 further restaurants dotted around North, South, East & West London.

Do? Have the pizza (as opposed to pasta) but to share, and make sure whoever you're dining with has something else, so you can sample other things on the menu. I'm not normally impressed by pasta because you can make it easily at home, but some of the Roasopomodoro's dishes did get my attention. 

Don't? Pass Rossopomodoro off as just another pizza chain. Yes the music is a bit euro-trash but everything is genuinely italian, from the recipes and ingredients; through to the staff and fellow diners.

Pictured. Verduretta (vegetarian pizza) & insalatuccia (mixed leaves, cherry tomato, carrot & red onion salad)

£20 for a pizza & salad to share, washed down with 2 glasses of wine.

A Turkish casbah in North London

What? Kusadasi, a proper family run Turkish restaurant with a wide ranging menu. My relationship with this restaurant began as a post-drinking joint, but over time has flourished in to a discovery of amazing food. If you get to know the owner he invites you to sample Turkish tea whilst you wait for your food to be prepared, yes we have been that much.

Where? Fortess Road, Tufnell Park. North London.

Do? Have the chicken shish which is cooked on hot coals and comes in what I can only describe as a 'spongy' wrap (not too heavy on the carbs) which comes warm & stuffed with fresh salad. You'll probably manage one between two.

Don't? Be put off by the fact that at first glance this looks a run of the mill kebab shop, it's not. The food in this place is suitable for more than just soaking up the booze and we now call on our Turkish friends weekly.

The chicken shish

The taste of Portugal

What? Canelacafe, a modern Portuguese cafe-cum-restaurant, but more of a nice cafe to be honest. At first sight the menu reads like a Masterchef-contestant-gone-mad in the kitchen, with large plates such as 'beef stew with poached egg & grilled banana' but thankfully it doesn't taste as such. The food is pleasant enough, and there are plenty of less adventurous dishes if you don't like the boeuf & banana combo.

Where? Seven-Dials, Covent Garden. The more upmarket end, a bit more removed from the tourist trail.

Do? Ask the waiter twice for things, three times in fact. And then stop asking because you can't be bothered to anymore. As charming & enthusiastic as he was he had very selective hearing. Beyond that he was friendly and very enthusiastic! 

Don't? Drink too much, they don't have a toilet. Well they do but it's next door, ironically making the convenience an inconvenience.

£25 for a few small plates; bottle of wine & dessert to share.

Cod, crisps & egg and cheese breads.

Scone in a flash at Bettys

What? Betty's, a quintessentially British tea room serving a range of delightful sweet and savoury dishes, along with a wide selection if teas, coffees and soft drinks. Far nicer than a pit-stop at Costa or Starbucks.

Where? York and a few other locations across the North, including Harrogate and Bradford.

Do? Go to 'Little Bettys' just off The Shambles. Yes there is more likely to be a queue, but it's set in a beautiful town house, making it a far more authentic experience, and is nestled among the more desirable shops.

Don't? Go without having a 'Fat Rascal' or at least a bit of someone else's (just make sure you're with that person). It's a scone-come-teacake that and is delivered to your table fresh out of the oven, well warm at least. Clearly their signature cake for a reason.

Chox pastry wheel with cream & strawberry (in homage to Tour de France) and a Fat Rascal.

Naan out of 10 for Chilli Lounge

What? Chilli Lounge, a contemporary Indian with all the traditional dishes, and a fair bit more.

Where? Huddersfield town centre, a stones throw away from the train station.

Do? Read the menu online before you go. It has over 300 items and if you're anything like me will get lost in a sea of words and still not know what you want after 10 minutes of studying it. The choice is good, the choosing harder.

Don't? Order a starter or one of their large Bangla beers, unless you've brought your fat pants or filling up on gas doesn't affect your ability to eat copious amounts of food. Lesson learnt. The food portions are generous and you'll be groaning with fullness through the night.

Starter; main; rice & bread to share and a beer £16. Bargain.

Chilliloungehuddersfield.co.uk

Egg & soldiers takes on crème brûlée

Creme Brulee with a passion fruit puree; desserts take on egg & soldiers at The Dolls House.

Great place for Sunday lunch if you’re after something a bit different to a gastro pub or food market. Be prepared for an ever changing menu, and to be well fed!

£20 with a ginger beer or two, and no Shoreditch attitude in sight.

thedeaddollsclub.com

Sea food & eat it

What? BOB’s Lobster. A camper-van-turned-catering-van that offers a small range of lobster dishes, all of which can be washed down with a modest glass of prosecco or Czechnian lager.

Where? Borough Lates (and other good food markets around London)

Do? Have the lobster mac & cheese. It was so delightful I didn’t have time to capture it on camera.

Don't? Go if you’re a Lobster connoisseur. It was ok, good enough for a mobile business but I prefer my lobster in a proper restaurant. Wright Bros. was directly opposite and I couldn’t help but wish…

The lobster roll

A simply delightful breakfast

What? The Providores and Tapa Room. A great parent friendly restaurant, with ever changing and slightly alternative menus. Look for the queue out the door.

Where? The best street in Central London has to offer (in my book at least) - Marylebone High Street.

Do? Book! And a good week or so in advance, particularly if breakfasting at the weekend. Also make sure you go with a healthy appetite, we literally rolled out…

Don’t? Book in to the Tapa Room if you have a raging hangover, the music was loud and the noise of other punters bounced off the walls. The Providores is the far better option if you want a bit of peace, as well as a slightly more formal dining experience.

Pictured: French toast stuffed with banana and pecans, smoked streaky bacon and vanilla verjus syrup.

About £15-£20 for breakfast and a drink.

theprovidores.co.uk

Let them eat cake, and lots of it

What? Choccywoccydodah, the weird and wonderful place that is so much so C4 commissioned a programme about it. It’s the perfect non-alcoholic post shopping antidote and makes other high-street alternatives seem dull in comparison.

Where? Just off Carnaby Street, left passed Miss Sixty.

Do? Be prepared to wait a few minutes for a table, and have a sugar free 24 hours prior to paying these guys a visit, you’ll be buzzing when you leave.

Don't? Have a slice of cake to yourself, unless you haven’t eaten for two days; the portions in this place are EPIC and could probably wedge a door open. You have been warned...

£2.50ish for a hot chocolate. £5 for a wedge of cake.

The Hot chocolate

Meat, drink & be happy.

What? Flat Iron, a small and in demand restaurant specialising in, flat iron steak of course. For a mere £10 you can have a a juicy steak with, at extra cost, sides such as creamed spinach, parmesan aubergine and chips. Quite novelly each steak comes with a mini clever, a few of which have probably gone missing over the months… You wouldn't find one in my kitchen drawer, honest.

Where? Beak Street, Soho. Walk to the Soho end of Carnaby Street and turn right. Keep your eyes peeled though, you could easily miss it.

Do? Save room for a warm donut or the salted caramal mousse, which the waitress pipes at your table from a big metal canister.

Don't? Be put off by the wait. Whilst you often have to wait for a table you’re normally called to it before said waiting time. If you do have to wait a while you can easily lose time in the downstairs bar.

Flat iron steak; chips; creamed spinach; aubergine